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25 April 2005 - Study of Oil Rig Workers
Concludes Shift Patterns Detrimental to Health
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Shift patterns in the workplace could cause greater risks of
heart disease and diabetes, a study, commissioned by the Government for the
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) concluded.
The study also states that an increase in workplace accidents is
greater when tired, as the shift worker becomes inattentive.
A team from the University of Surrey in Guldford, headed by
Josephine Arendt, Chronobiologist and Psychologist Andrew Smith and Cardiff
University Wales, studied the physiological and psychological health of shift
workers.
The team undertook the study, using 45 off-shore oil-rig shift
workers, as the offshore industry provides the most popular shift patterns
worked. Two main shift schedules, operating over a 2 week period
were compared.
Shifts consisted of the following:
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Simple 12 hour shift which ran consistently either on days or
nights for a full 2 week period.
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Split shifts of 1 week night shift and 1 week day shift, being
the more popular shift, as sleep pattern was correct for returning home.
Some of the findings were as follows:
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Split shift urine samples showed melatonin levels (
sleep-regulating hormone) unsynchronised after shift change.
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Split shifts resulting in being more tired, less attentive and
being at greater risk of long term health effects.
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Split shift workers had abnormally high levels of fatty acids
within blood stream after meals, increasing risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Josephine Arendt commented:
"The swing shift is the killer."
The HSE will publicise the study findings to employers, with
recommendations for minimising the risks. However, legislation for
companies to adopt particular shift schedules will perhaps be unlikely.
Andrew Smith commented:
"It won't change overnight. But it would be
rather foolish not to take this on board."
Alison Shaw, Cardiac Nurse at the British Heart Foundation (BHF)
also said:
"Adapting to different sleep patterns can be a problem, as
they can affect melatonin - a hormone that regulates sleep, and takes some time
to come back to synchronised levels after a shift switch.
"Also, access to healthy foods and adequate breaks whilst working shifts is
vital. Snacking on high fat, high calorie foods and smoking can increase your
risk of CHD."
The study concludes that split shifts or other schedule changes
should be avoided by workers.
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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